(March 24,
2004) The world of
MTV, storytelling, KLOS, automobiles, “the EDGE,” and
rock and roll came together
yesterday afternoon at JJ Jackson’s Memorial
Service at the Angelus
Funeral Home in Los Angeles. During the one hour and
fifteen minute celebration, J.J. was described as a complex
man with "many compartments.” Richard LaBrie
officiated and he acknowledged that JJ might be more complex
than we think. He said that the participants would piece
together JJ’s life, “so we can match our memories with
their memories.”

JJ's death on St.
Patrick's Day of an apparent heart attack was a shock to those who
knew him as one of the first MTV VJs, or a KLOS jock during the 70s,
or KABC/Channel 7 Rock reporter, or pd at KEDG “(The EDGE”) or
more recently as the afternoon personality at KTWV, “the WAVE.”
He was 62.

Many of his
friends packed the funeral home on Crenshaw were visibly
shaken. It started as Elma and Johnnie Jackson, JJ’s
parents, came up the aisle. It is tough to imagine what it
is like to outlive your child. (Photos:
Elma and Johnny Jackson)

A woman who had known
JJ for 40 years remembered when he expressed a desire to be a disc
jockey and she suggested he become a Saturday night announcer at the
Tufts University radio station. And that’s how he started in 1964.

Joe Reiling(right), colleague, friend and the last person to see JJ
alive, was the first to mention a theme that was woven
through the remarks of those who shared. "JJ was a
storyteller and he would tell them to the nth degree,”
said Joe. “If you ever sat in on a JJ story session, he
would tell a story and then tell it several times. But
because he did it with that JJ flair, we let him go on and
on and on. Bottom line was that if we tried to stop him, he
would still continue.”

Joe expressed JJ’s
passion for radio: “He always had a radio idea in his mind and it
always changed with the times.” JJ
always had a love for cars. One of his early cars was a Corvette and
the car he died in was a Mercedes Benz. “On his last day,
fortunately he was in his favorite car, the Mercedes. In between he
had a Jentzen Interceptor in the garage for years that he tried to
sell to his friends.

“As many of you
know, I was the last one to see JJ and I want you to know he was in
great spirits,” confided Reiling. He had just recorded The Beatle
Years at Westwood One, which he loved to do. Dropped off some
chicken for mom and dad. And we had dinner. His career was kicking
back into real high gear and we were doing some projects
together.”

Allan Hunter, fellow
MTV VJ, said that JJ straddled so many rivers without boundaries.
“He wasn’t black or white or red or yellow. Everybody loved him
and he loved them.”

Another original MTV
VJ, Mark Goodman, opened his comments with, “I’m so
pissed at JJ now. I’m the oldest VJ now.” Mark discovered why
Jim Ladd and JJ were the best of friends. “Ladd realized there was
someone who could match him word for word when it came to being
verbose.” Mark revealed that JJ’s vanity forced him to spray the
bald spot on the back of his head with black paint.

Martha Quinn said that
she was JJ’s little sister. She revealed that JJ almost quit MTV
after the first week because he thought he was selling out by
appearing on a new network that had a noticable lack of black
artists. It came to a head when MTV virtually ignored the death of
Muddy Waters to feature Spandau Ballet. “JJ said, ‘Goddam it, I
sold out.” He stayed on and will forever be remembered as one of
the original VJ’s from MTV’s launch in the summer of 1981.

Damion(left), a KLOS compadre beginning 1972, remembered JJ
for his passion for music and clothes. “No matter the
occasion, he was the one who showed up as the nattily
attired man. He was always fashionable,” said Damion. He
quoted John Lennon on the subject of dying. “Lennon said
it was like getting out of one car and into another. JJ
loved his cars.”

“JJ Jackson was my
best friend,” revealed Jim Ladd. “He was not just a good friend
or even a close friend. He was my best friend. He was my brother. We
used to joke about the fact that we could actually have grown up in
each other’s homes. We were both blessed with such loving parents.
JJ never took that for granted. He used to brag about his parents to
the point where I felt I knew Elma and Johnny almost as well as he
did.”

Ladd described JJ as a
man of many parts. He was a proud Marine and at the same time a
hard-core rock and roller. He was the first man I would call if my
life depended on someone else. But he could also cry at the end of a
bad movie. He was a man who seemed to be endlessly fascinated with
life.

(Mark
Miller, Denise Westwood, Jim Ladd, Rita Wilde)

The ceremony ended
with the congregation singing the Lennon/McCartney song, In My
Life.

Katie Clark was
moved by the ceremony. “What a touching and wonderful place to
remember him,” emailed Katie. “As sad and in grief as we
all are, hearing the words of his friends and family brought his
bright soul right into that room for me. What
a special person, who was loved by so many. He was not only a
part of music history, he WAS musical history. What an
inspiration,” concluded Clark.

"I had the
surreal pleasure of working with JJ at KLOS on the weekends,” said
Kelli Gates (right). “Those on-air exchanges with him made me feel
like a million bucks. I would get so nervous initially, not
thinking I could ever stack up on the air alongside him. I was
honored that he would even want to goof off with me, or hear my
opinions on things. Of course, I would always make sure that I
had applied some fresh lipstick for when he came through the door
and laid some ‘sugar’ on me. You had to look good for JJ!

My
regret is not getting to know him better and taking him up on those
platonic offers to go to a fabulous dinner or out dancing. I
had his home phone # in my book at his insistence, and never dialed
it. Honestly, I don't think I felt worthy, like, ‘why would
he want to spend time with me?’ But now I realize he did...he had
a huge heart and made time for all kinds of people. After
hearing all the wonderful stories his good friends told yesterday, I
knew I had passed up a wonderful opportunity to gain wisdom, share
laughs, and of course, hear out of this world rock and roll stories! I
will never make that mistake again. Jim Ladd, can I finally come to
that poker game of yours?!?!?!

“It was such a
lovely, touching, tasteful, and poignant tribute to JJ
Jackson,” said Mary Lyon. “I've never seen so
many of those guys in neckties before! Some of them I
haven't seen in years. While I'm sorry for the circumstances
that demanded it, I was so glad to be there, and to be
reminded of so many cool experiences and memories from my
KLOS days. I'm WAY grateful to have been part of these
people's lives. Reminded me of how much I treasure them! As
Damion mentioned to me – ‘the friendships are the
currency of our days.’ Pretty eloquent, 'eh?”

JJ
Jackson Has Died

(March 18, 2004)JJ
Jackson, one of the early MTV jocks and long-time Los Angeles Radio
People, died last night of an apparent heart attack while driving home from
dinner.

JJ worked afternoon drive when he arrived
at KLOS from WBCN-Boston in 1971. He spent almost a decade there. Later in the
1980s, JJ worked at KWST, KROQ and KMPC/fm, which later became KEDG
("The Edge"). In late 1994, JJ began hosting "The Beatle
Years," a syndicated series airing on 200 stations nationwide. He spent
many years at Westwood One. He returned to KLOS in 2000 to host "The
Seventh Day." Most recently, JJ worked afternoon drive at KTWV,
"The WAVE." Services are pending.

If you would like to participate in the hour long celebration by briefly
sharing some of your memories of JJ, please call Tracey Jackson Cash today
at 310.386.3266. JJ died last Wednesday of an apparent heart attack. He was
62.

--

"JJ
hugged me the very first time we met.He
skipped right past the handshake and went directly to the hug. That, to me,
is the essence of JJ.The warmth in
his eyes, that twinkle, embraced you.The
genuine enthusiasm in his voice drew you in to the radio.He didn’t just back sell music, he wrapped his arms around it.JJ truly knew how to hold – how to embrace – an audience."
(Ralph Stewart)

--

Opening
comments by Joe Reiling on KLOS on Thursday, March 18, at 10 p.m.

"Hello
I'm Joe Reiling. I'm here tonight for Jim Ladd, because we're both
taking care of family business...and with that I'm talking about the passing
of JJ Jackson. All day today, people have been calling us from all over the
place, all asking, 'Is it true about JJ?'

I
was blessed to see him just before he died. I want everybody to know that JJ
was in great spirits and he was happy and we were talking about what were
were going to do this weekend. JJ,
or "Triple J" has been recognized by many as:

A
rock and roll radio pioneer

One
of the original MTV video jocks

A
radio legend

And
indeed he was all of that and so much more.

Speaking
for myself, Jim and another KLOS alumni, Damion, JJ is our brother. J
would refer to us as 'The Four Musketeers.' We shared so much together.

And
sharing is what J was all about. Anybody who met JJ realized the
heart this man had for the music he played, for the rock and roll he
'lived,' for all his many friends, musicians and of course his family. Yes,
JJ has a big family. JJ is a brother to us all. Whether he was talking to a
major recording star or to someone who was trying to get into the business
of radio or music, JJ would always share time and words with them.

Now
at this point, JJ is probably glancing at me and telling me to 'get on with
it.' He always kept us in line that way. So, utilizing the next few
songs, I would to share with you our memories of our brother. JJ
Jackson...son and friend of John and Alma Jackson. Brother to us all.

At
this point I told the story about the first tv broadcast JJ did on
KABC/Channel 7. J had proposed that he would cover major concert events
for KABC/TV. Since he and Rod Stewart had been very good friends, and
Rod wanted to help JJ get this gig, Rod offered to be his first guest.
J said that become the clincher for the deal. I then played a set by
Rod. Subsequently I played sets of music by artists who were very
good friends of J's and music by artists that had some connection to J.
His 'friend' sets included: Rod, Roger Daltry, Robert Plant, and Peter Wolf.
I introduced each set with a story with they're connection to J. I
closed the show with Led Zeppelin's Since I've Been Loving You. Robert Plant
dedicated this song to his 'good friend JJ Jackson at Zep's Forum concert
back in 1976."

--

"Triple J. The man with
the touch. And indeed he did touch us all. I remember how he loved to come
into the station 2 minutes before air time, hit the mike and it was that
touch. 'Hello SO-CAL it's Triple J.' Over the last 20 years every once in a
while we would get in touch again. Maybe at an R&R in L.A.
or at a new hot spot in Hollywood that I had called JJ a week before my LA
trip to find out about. Being from Louisiana, we didn't cross paths
often, but when we did it was always like 1979 was only yesterday. That
JJ touch. And we touched again sharing a few old memories, a few
new ideas and a few of our shared ambitions. Those of us who were
fortunate enough to have worked closely with him will remember his smile,
his kindness, his sense of people. God bless him well." (Ted
Ferguson PD KWST in 78-80, Mgr
Radio 1, Star-Fm, Tiare-Fm Papeete, Tahiti}

--

“He was J-3 to me. We met in the 70s. He had the sweetest smile
and was just so genuine. I listened to him on the air of
course, like everyone. What a star! So smart about his music, not
only Rock, but every musical genre, and of other things
too. He had great taste and loved to look sharp in whatever he was
wearing. He loved his life and L.A., but said to me, ‘Hey,
I'm a New Yorker.’ Actually, I think he was universal. He fit in
everywhere with everyone. He had a jumbo phone book full of
friends. He was cool.

I was privileged to work at KMPC/fm as it transformed into KEDG/fm ‘The
Edge,’ on Raechel Donahue's morning show. JJ was the
music/program director, Gene Autry being the owner of the
station. What a trip. It was short but intense. We were on at
6 a.m. so JJ was our polar opposite, yet he'd awake early sometimes and listen
to the show, checking it, making sure, but allowing Miz Rae be her
creative best. And he and I would talk on the telephone. He
taught me a lot about his gig. He was management, but he was us, too.
He had a wicked sense of humor, and was generous of spirit.

He had a Corvette and loved to floor it. I remember a drive thru Laurel
Canyon at top speed and the music blasting. He loved that. If you want
to SEE JJ at his best, talking about radio, check out Raechel
Donahue's documentary called Rock Jocks - The FM Revolution. It was
screened at the Museum of Radio and Television in Beverly Hills last year
and afterwards we all went to dinner. I'm so glad we had that occasion
because he was in the best mood and I'll always remember how funny he was.
ALL GRIEF BE FAR.” (Allison Caine)

--

“I listened to Triple J from
the earliest days of Rock N Stereo KLOS. He was always one of the guys
that was able to make you feel the music. I followed him around the
dial, and always felt like he was a friend, ready to share the latest and
the greatest in music with me. I only met JJ once, but it was like
meeting an old friend again. It was during a radio discussion at the
Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills. This was a chance
for listeners and industry folks to be able to sit down and listen to the
tales of KMET. Of course, JJ was not part of the staff of KMET, or on
the stage for any of the program, but afterwards, I was lucky enough to have
him autograph Jim Ladd's Radio Waves. His quote: ‘Thanks
for caring. JJ Jackson.’ JJ, thanks for making us care.” (Frank
Canin, Davey Croakette, KFRG)

--

"I heard the words. I ran
to the tv. An immense wave of sadness went through me. I have been sad for
days now.

JJ was so very much
responsible for my going into the radio biz. Back in 1978-79 I worked as a
volunteer for Sam Russell on the KLOS Community Switchboard. Every Friday
for a year, my shift was right alongside JJ who was on the air. And he'd
mark my arrival on the phones by playing Peg by Steely Dan on the
air. Back then I thought it was cute. Now that he's gone, I realize just how
much those Friday night moments mean. Wonderful memories! I wanted so badly
to work at the station and he encouraged me to hang in there. We had so much
fun. And I listened to his advice, was patient, and eventually did land
a job at KLOS. I missed him terribly when he left KLOS. I will forever hold
him near and dear in my heart. What a wonderful, kind, loving human being.
One in a million. God bless him." (Peggy Sellers, ex-KLOS sales
department & broadcast standards)

--

"How sad that JJ is no longer
with us but what wonderful memories of time with him at work and play
[KLOS], through past tragedies and at some very happy celebrations of life.
I'm proud to have known him. He left his mark on radio and the music and
brought much joy to those whose life he touched." (Richard Flanagan)

--

"These are truly powerful
and touching remembrances; but I can't help but think how OUR JJ would feel
reading them. I suspect he'd get shy and even somewhat embarrassed by them.
I think he'd try and shake them off in that gentle sweet way of his. But
that was our JJ S R E A L. An extra-ordinary guy and that's how he touched
people - in an extra-ordinary way.

I first encountered Triple J years ago at KWST. I did traffic in the
mornings, first with Phil Hendrie and Scoop and then with Miz Rae
and David Perry. JJ followed from 10 to 2 and on most days we'd hang
around the studio and talk. And OY! Could he talk, or what?

I didn't know much about the radio landscape back then, but I did know right
away that this guy was not your average Joe in headphones. I know I'm one of
the lucky ones 'cuz we remained friends and I'm a smarter and wiser gal
because of it.

The thing is, if you knew JJ, there's nothing I can say about him you don't
already know. We each experienced him in our own way. To me, he was just 'some'em
special' and he'll be sorely missed. I used to call him 'Pillow Lips.' And
if you missed the story behind that, know it was a good one - and one that
ALWAYS gave the big a guy a big laugh! I miss you Pillow Lips; it's
a sad day in Radio Land without you. (Gayl Murphy)

--

"JJ
Jackson and I were not ‘good' friends, and, in fact, only met in person a
half a dozen times and talked on the phone an equal amount. We worked at
some of the same places at different times, had a lot of friends in common,
and I believe, a mutual respect existed on a professional basis. Here's my
point. Every time we did meet or speak, he remembered my name, came across
the room to say ‘Hi,’ asked about the well being of common friends, and
was genuine. He took the time hear me out on the KROQ Reunion or programming
philosophies as related to ‘The Edge.’

There are DAMN FEW practicing LARPs that will take the time, return calls,
or even give someone not currently working in the industry the time of day
if they can't figure out WIIFT [What's In IT For Them]. The next time we may
be feeling a little full of ourselves, please consider the kind and generous
nature of the Gentle Giant with the Husky voice, Triple J.” (Darrell
Wayne, ex-KROQ, LARadio.com editor,
morning fill-in KVTA-AM Ventura)

--

"I worked with J.J. at
KLOS from 1972-76. He was the afternoon guy and I came over from KMET
to do mornings. JJ was a warm and generous man. When we first
started working together he would call me ‘the kid.’ We weren't close,
but when I would run into him at a Westwood One Christmas party or other
event we would catch up on ‘things’ like we were old buds. Triple J
was a true Rock radio pioneer. Starting at the legendary [and still
standing] WBCN in Boston, he got to know all of the great rock musicians of
the day, many who remained friends. Most of us got into ‘underground
radio’ in the 60s because of our love and commitment to the music. JJ
never lost that.

The only time I every remember
him being pissed at me was when the entire staff at KLOS went to a Led
Zeppelin concert at the Forum. I left early because it was too loud,
believe me I heard about it the next day. We lost a great friend.” (Jeff
Gonzer)

--

--

“I was shocked to hear about
JJ Jackson. What a set of pipes this man had. I know everyone will miss him.
My thoughts are with his family.” (Larry Woodside)

--

“In
1986 I moved to Los Angeles and was one of the last djs ever hired on KMET.
It was not too long after that management changed format and the WAVE forced
us out on the streets. Eventually most of us found our way to Gene
Autry’s KMPC/fm.

The
first time I met JJ, he was upstairs in the music director’s office
pouring through stacks of CDs that would eventually find their way into the
on-air studio. A true ‘musicologist,’ JJ not only blurred color lines he
merged the parameters of rock music. In his own way he was truly a
renaissance man. And then there was the ‘Triple J Bear Hug’ if you were
lucky enough to be on the receiving end of one you felt special.

JJ was doing afternoon drive on KMPC/fm [101.9] soon to become KEDG ‘The
Edge.’ In a short amount of time JJ was promoted from music director to
program director and promoted me from nights to middays, shortly after Cynthia
Fox resigned. So, everyday during my show he would come into the studio
to pull his music for his afternoon drive shift regaling me with stories
about his favorite artists.

He loved it when the air staff found a way to create segues that would
seamlessly transition from one song or artist to another without the jarring
effects of what you would traditionally hear on any other station. If you
could find a song that began on the same note the previous song ended on, or
found a theme you could thread together musically, it would cause the studio
hot line to ring and JJ would be on the other end telling you how brilliant
you were. JJ created a loving and nurturing environment that fostered the
last bit of creativity on the fm band. We were as close to free form
radio as when fm first began in the early to mid-70s.

JJ let us choose the music that would create a radio show unlike anything
else on the air in Los Angeles in 1988. Perhaps he gave us too much freedom
and ultimately management pulled the plug on the EDGE. It was like a
prolonged funeral saying goodbye to the EDGE, not only because we loved
working on the radio every day in such an amazing environment but also
because we were a family and it was hard to say goodbye. That was truly the
end of a radio era.

JJ and I continued our friendship with dinners and lunches over the years
and the thing I loved about him the most is he always told you the hard
truth whether you wanted to hear it or not. He just had this special way
about him, you knew he would not suffer fools and if you were someone he
cared about you felt blessed.

Just before I move from L.A. to Florida last summer, I had a barbecue and JJ
was there to wish us well, kiss me and my husband and daughter goodbye, and
present me with a letter that he wrote from his heart on MTV stationery. I
teased him that it was time to get new stationery. Other than my Mom, there
was no one that was prouder of me for my accomplishments. I was a
dj-turned-professional voice-over artist with several Academy Awards under
my belt and, in fact, he called me every time he heard me on a global awards
show. His letter to me was so touching because he not only told me how proud
he was of what I had accomplished with my career but because he was proudest
that I would leave L.A. at the top of my game to move to a place where my
family would have a glorious life. I shall treasure that letter forever
now.” (Randy Thomas)

--

“I
am very blessed man to have known JJ Jackson for almost 30 years. Back in
the Rock N Stereo days with JJ Jackson, Jim Ladd, Damion
and Tom Yates, and polyester dressed salesman named Arlo were
all young and the world was ours to fully enjoy, and boy did we. The
wonderful thing about JJ was that he never stopped fully enjoying his work
and his friend and life. He was gentle, fun, and loving and he knew and
cared as much about Rock and Roll as anyone.

One
of my biggest regrets was that not long ago I talked to Jim Ladd and JJ
about a Fear and Loathing road trip in a convertible to Las Vegas. I would
have been the designated driver. I'm so sorry we never got our
chance to go. I love you JJ and will always cherish the light and
love you brought into my life. God Bless.” (Arlo Hults)

--

“I'm
truly stunned at the death of JJ Jackson. As a fan of MTV in the 80s he made
you feel like you were one of his friends sitting there watching music
videos. I will truly miss him. He was one of the great guys in radio
he made you feel you were listening to one of your friends and not just a dj
in the afternoon “ (Traci Mecca, Mission Viego)

--

“What
a shock. I got to meet JJ Jackson at your radio festival at the Museum of TV
& Radio. He was very approachable and we had a nice chat. Got a
good picture with him too.” (Andrew Schermerhorn)

--

"Rockin
Stereo Ninety Five and Half - KLOS! Nobody delivered a station's name
better! I listened every day in high school! A great talent and person! You
will be missed JJ.” (Craig Powers, ex-KIK/fm, KEZY, KIIS, “Lite
100.5”)

--

“JJ was my inspiration for
getting into radio in the first place. I used to hear him on KLOS as a child
and he made the music come alive for me. Ironically, I became the music
director for KLOS and competed against JJ in the 80's when he was
programming a cross-town station. He was very complimentary and always had a
kind word to say to me whenever we saw each other. He was truly a
gentleman.” (Stephanie A. Mondello, Director of Programming, DMX MUSIC)

--

“August
16, 1977. JJ Jackson was on the air at KLOS when the newsman, Marshall
Phillips, came into the studio with some distressing news. Elvis
was dead. What could be worse news at a rock station? The
worse news was that an announcement was about to be made that the King
of Rock & Roll had died and there wasn't an Elvis record
in the building. Remember this was a ROCK station. JJ calmly
called for Jeff Beck's Beck-Ola, opened the microphone, related the
bad news with the credibility that he always brought to the airwaves, then
slid into All Shook Up, as if the King had requested the song himself
in celebration of his life. KLOS still had board operators for their
jocks in 1977 and I was the guy on the board that day.

JJ
was the real deal. No matter how he was painted later by the hype of
MTV, he truly loved the music and if he found out that you loved the music
too, you became part of the fraternity.

JJ,
as the ‘rock reporter’ for KABC/Channel 7's ‘Eyewitness News’ was
the first guy to interview Bruce Springsteen on television in 1978 in one of
the longest music features I've ever seen on a local news broadcast. At
the end of that report the anchors at the time, Jerry Dunphy and Christine
Lund were miffed by his enthusiasm about this rising artist. The only
thing Jerry could say to close out the segment was, ‘Sounds like fun, JJ’
in his best Ted Baxter pose. ‘He loves his work.’ As clueless as
Jerry was about what he had just witnessed, he was right about the fact that
JJ did loved his work.

He
made you proud to be a rocker and carried that message to the radio and
television with more class than anyone that has reported on music since.”
(Michael Stark)

--

“I was stunned to read your
bulletin about JJ Jackson's untimely demise! I knew JJ and had worked
with him at K-West, starting in January 1980. He was a very kind,
generous and sweet gentle man. As a talent, he was bar none.

He had his idiosyncrasies, though. Two that I still remember vividly
concerned his beloved Jensen automobile, which, while he was on the air on
the 4th floor of 6430 Sunset Blvd., he always insisted on parking on the
adjacent garage rooftop where he could keep his eye on it from the control
room window.

The other idiosyncrasy was that he always drew closed two sets of curtains
in the control room. He didn't want to be seen from the newsroom window
nor from the common hallway window. But the one set of curtains he
ALWAYS left open? The view to the rooftop garage.

A quick personal story: one time he and I were riding up in the 6430
elevator to the 4th floor. It was five minutes to his show time when
the elevator suddenly stopped and tilted severely to one side. We were
stuck - and it felt like a cable had broken. We both tried to remain
visibly calm and cool but I could see he was just as nervous as I was. I
picked up
the handset in the elevator and spoke to the building's management. We
were told not to move one iota and to hang tight, so, JJ and I held hands
– sweaty as his and mine were. I think I had a death grip on his. I'm
not sure if he was nervous because we were stuck in an elevator, or, because
he was now quite tardy for the start of his 2 p.m. drive time show.

But after about ten minutes, we were righted and started moving
again. We both dashed out of the car as fast as we could when the doors
opened on the 4th floor. I saw him run the obstacle course that was the
K-West hallways and straight into the control room where the midday guy, Steve
Downes, sat patiently but perplexed at JJ's tardiness. The
consummate entertainer, JJ decided the stuck-in-an-elevator story would make
for a good jock-crossover, relating to Steve and the audience what had made
him late. It was then,
listening in my office to JJ down the hall, that I discovered he had been as
scared as I was in that motionless, tilted elevator. Afterward, he
never stopped thanking me for getting us both out.

May he rest in peace.” (Elizabeth Salazar, formerly K-West)

--

“I
was so sad to read about the death of JJ Jackson. I loved him and enjoyed
listening to him on the KTWV. More than that, he was a good and decent guy
in a world that is losing too many good and decent people.

I
was already an adult when MTV hit, but I always enjoyed the camaraderie the
original VJs all had. Of all of them, though, JJ was the most
knowledgeable interviewer, knowing when and what to ask an artist and when
to bail on an interview.

There
is no way JJ was 62, maybe in human years, but not in spirit. My
prayers to those he left behind, way too soon.

Thank
you, Don, for letting me find out from a friend instead of a cold
newspaper.” (Julie Byer)

--

“The
best set of pipes in the biz. JJ was a master of the spontaneous, his
feel for live radio was in a league of his own and he soared with eagles. May
all of us that have known him, find comfort knowing that we are in his
spirit.” (Nicole Devereux)

--

“I’m
saddened to learn of a true gentleman who is no longer with us. I had
the privilege of meeting him through Bill Dudley at KTWV "The
Wave" a couple of years ago. I was impressed by his mild manner
and terrific sense of humor. A real loss to us all.” (Jaime Uribe,
Oakland)

--

"Such a sad loss. I saw
JJ at the car show back in January; he was one of the best guys I've
ever known, radio biz and life in general. Hard to do a show today. I really
feel for Jim Ladd; they were truly BEST best friends, as I'm sure you
already know. The fact he wasn't in a
programming position of some sort was already a loss for L.A. radio.
He'll truly be missed, on so many
levels." (Gary Moore, KLOS)

--

--

"A true gentleman. It was
a pleasure to know him. He was one of the very first black rock jocks in the
USA. He knew everyone in rock n' roll and he spoke highly of most of
them." (Bill Dudley, KTWV)

--

“I remember the 3-J's at KLOS in the early70s - Jim
Ladd, Jeff Gonzer, and JJ Jackson. These gentlemen were
not ‘time and temperature’ jocks, but
communicators of the music - the stories behind the songs, the artists'
personal lives, the appreciation of a song well crafted, sung and played.

JJ Jackson was perhaps an enigma in today’s corporate radio reality,
nevertheless, I looked forward to his outro to a set of songs, because he'd
always throw in a tidbit of info that I'd not known before.

I'm happy that he got to continue to do his thing at MTV, where his talents
could be more appreciated. As a personal sidelight, until he was an MTV VJ,
I didn't know he was African-American, but that's shortsigtedness on my
part. Another L.A. radio legend is gone at 62, the same age as Robert
W. Morgan and The Real Don Steele.

JJ, as you ascend the Stairway to Heaven, please know that you were
not just a voice to go along with the music. We listeners did not know
you personally, but we loved you nevertheless and will miss you.” (Dave
Hubbert)

--

“As
former director of sales marketing & promotion for the WAVE, I’d
certainly like to pay my respects to JJ and his family. This is a sad
day in radio & tv history and JJ will definitely be missed. JJ and
I were able to share some good memories together in the year he was with the
WAVE. The thing that sticks out the most for me is that above and beyond his
kind and easy going personality, JJ was an ambassador every time we had him
at a station event or appearance. For as long as he had been in the
business, you could see it in his eyes that he treated every instance like
it was his first. Peace be with you JJ and God Speed!” (Greg
Schoenbaum, Media & Entertainment Marketing Consultant, Newport
Coast, CA)

--

“I
met JJ at KFRC in San Francisco. We were both jocks back in the early
'70s. He wasn't a great jock but he was a great person. Later, he
became a great jock. He was one of those guys you thought of at least a
couple of times a year because he was a rare individual. He was
actually HAPPY!” (Joe Kelly)

--

“We
have lost another great one. It was so upsetting to hear of JJ's
passing. Today, there are so few radio personalities who really care
about their craft and the people they work with, JJ was one of these people. He
was a staple of the AOR format. JJ was a good friend to everyone. When he
joined KTWV I listened to him and I enjoyed learning about the music from
him. He will be missed by many of his peers.” (Jason Jeffries,
director of long form programming, Salem Communications/Los Angeles)

--

“I
was shocked to learn the news of JJ’s passing. I’m mainly just fan,
but I did get to talk with him several times at Y107. JJ never went on
the air there, but he sat in on several of our weekly music meetings. He
was still very much into new music. Maybe you had to be there, but I
consider those music meetings with the legendary JJ Jackson one of the many
highlights of my time in Boss Angeles radio.” (Scott Lowe)

--

“I
was saddened to hear of J.J.'s passing at too young an age. He was one of
the established prime timers at WBCN-Boston and his departure for Los
Angeles basically created room for me to go full time. He was always
upbeat, positive and genuinely warm. Just a good human being, it's a
shame.” (John Brodey, Los Angeles)

--

"Very
sad to hear about JJ. I worked with him at KWST in 1980-81. Ted Ferguson
was pd. JJ was a class act, a cool announcer and a very decent human being.
He will be missed." (Kenny Noble Cortes, morning host KJCD-Denver)

--

"
JJ was at KLOS when I started there in '77. He was, in a sense, the Captain
of the Team. He was Grand Master J.J. Jackson. Everyone, on the air and
behind the scenes, looked to him for leadership, yet, from day one, he was
always warm and friendly to me - the new kid - and everyone else.
I remember our gm at the time, John Winnaman, appearing with me on
the KLOS talk show to answer questions from listeners. He kept referring to
JJ as the station's 'musicologist.' John knew that JJ not only sounded
smooth on the air, but truly knew what he was talking about. He knew the
music, and he knew the bands.
Though short-lived, his experiment with the Edge [KMPC/fm] was
extraordinary, and I thought he sounded great on the WAVE, too.
Rock on, JJ. Rock on. (Michael Benner)

--

"I remember JJ well. The
fm studio was across the hall from the newsroom. He was a talented and
gentle man." (Bob Steinbrinck)

--

"I
have known JJ for many years. He was a kind and gracious and funny man. He
will be missed so much I cannot even put it into words. Rest In Peace my
friend we all love and will miss you terribly." (Your friend, Vinnie
Polselli)

--

"As a kid I listened to
JJ Jackson regularly after school on KLOS. When I first thought of getting
into radio he was one of the first on air talents I wanted to emulate. Sad
day. My very best to his family and thanks for touching my life." (Mark
Wallengren, KOST)

--

"It is certainly a
dark day in Los Angeles. I met JJ while I was working as an engineer during
Sunday Brunch at The Wave. He was supposed to talk to the crowd once per
hour and give something away, and he told me he felt like Steve Martin doing
stand-up. The stories he told me in those 5 hour shifts I will cherish my
entire life." (Barry "Funk-FM" Funkhouser, programming
& production assistant, Smooth Jazz 94.7 The Wave)

--

"Sorry
to hear of JJ Jackson's passing. You could tell from his on-air personna
that he was a great guy." (Rich "Brother" Robbin)

--

"JJ
Jackson was one of the most kind hearted and generous men that I have ever
had the pleasure to have known and worked with. There wasn't a day that I
can remember, when there wasn't a smile on his jovial face. And
whenever I was feeling down, he'd prop me right back up. JJ you will always
have a special place in my heart." (Fred Lindgren, writer/producer
of Westwood One's "The Beatle Years")

--

"Some
friends you say hi to, some you shake hands with. Every time I saw JJ he
would give me a great big hug. I'll miss that more than words can
say." (Donnie Ray,
director of post production / producer, Westwood One)

--

"It's a sad moment for
radio. As a programmer who always carried 'The Beatle Years' at every
station that I worked at, I found that JJ was one of the most generous guys
to deal with. He often went beyond the call of duty when it came to liners
that most professionals in syndicated programming wouldn't even consider. As
an example, he cut bits for us for our anniversary show. For a
Hawaiian 'rinky dink' morning show at a small radio station out in the
middle of the Pacific Ocean? This gentleman had class. This Maui boy will
miss him dearly." (Michael McCartney, KEAO / KONI / KPMW / KTOH)

--

"JJ was one of the VERY good guys. Too
MANY people I know and like are leaving us. We
all need to do a better job of staying connected to the good people in our
lives." (Scott St. James, "Arrow 93")

--

"I have worked with JJ
for many years at Westwood One as a senior production engineer for "The
Superstars Concert" series and many other shows he voiced. He had
a heart of gold, the most beautiful and joyous laugh, a smile that could
lift your spirits and the voice of a God. Anyone who knew him will tell you:
The world would be a better place if there were more gentle men like JJ
Jackson. Farewell my friend: May your spirit always be near." (Jim
Duncan, KLAC)

--

--

"JJ and I became
acquainted relatively late in his career. In 1989, when he was programming
The Edge, Patrick Goldstein of the LA Times took him to task in his
weekly 'Pop Eye' column for not playing enough music by black artists. I was
ops manager at KWNK at the time, and took it upon myself to answer those
charges in a letter to the editor. I remember calling him a racist for
thinking a black program director would choose music based on skin color,
and pointed out that music is based on format, saying such things as 'does
Goldstein expect KLOS to play Hank Williams Jr., too?'

I was out of town the weekend my letter appeared in Calendar, and by the
time I got home and checked in with my station practically every member of
the airstaff at The Edge had left a message for me. When I called the
station hotline, I was told by Cynthia Fox that JJ really wanted to talk to
me. I called him at home and got the warmest reception I've ever gotten from
anyone in this business. He was so appreciative that I stood up for him [remember,
JJ was, to me, a legend from his days at KLOS, K-West, and MTV] that I was
pretty much speechless!

A month or so later, JJ asked me to come down to the KMPC mansion on Sunset
to talk with him. He had an opening for production manager/apd/relief and
wanted to see if I would fit in. The only reason I didn't go to work there
was because Bill Ward changed the format to 'K-Lite' before we could
negotiate a contract. [Best radio job I never got to start at.]

More recently, JJ and I had been talking about his involvement in a project
I have been working on for the past several months. He even suggested that
Mark Goodman and Martha Quinn might be able to participate ... and that, to
me, is the measure of his greatness: A project lands in his lap, and his
reaction is to think of a way to share it with his former MTV colleagues.

God, I will miss him." (K.M. Richards)

--

"Jesus. Sorry to hear that. I
was his board op at KLOS in the Rock N' Stereo days. A nice and talented
man." (Ken Levine)

--

"I'm so sorry to hear about JJ. One of
radio's beacons for sure." (Scott B. Zolke, Loeb & Loeb)

--

“Triple
J was a wonderful person. I had the pleasure of being with him at KLOS with John
Winnaman in the early 1970s.

If my numbers and memory are correct he had higher quarter hour audience
than Vin Scully and the ‘72 Dodgers. Always up and always bright.
After a Nixon speech to the nation and aired by KLOS, he came out of it with
the Beatles song, Lies. Not too pleasing to John!” (Paul Cassidy)

--

"I first met JJ at a party in the early 90s in Los
Angeles. He was already a legend by then, but in my
long conversation with him, there was no hint of ego whatsoever. I left that
evening feeling that, yes he
was a legend, but what a great guy! Years later JJ stopped by my office to
leave photo's from his past as
I was putting a special edition of Virtuallyalternative together on WBCN.
We talked numerous times as I gathered material on his story for the issue
over months. He stopped by our office in Burbank every once in awhile
because he loved going to the shooting range which was close by. Just last
week I watched JJ and Ann Litt host a Roy Orbison special on KCET
television. One sentence can sum up JJ. He had the warmest smile of any
human being around. He will be missed by all that knew him." (Jonathan
L. Rosen, Promotions/Consulting, Los Angeles)